Hi all. I was following a bike in my cage today. We entered the 407 eastbound at bathurst. Her blocking position was interesting and it got me thinking. When you enter 407 at Bathurst the same lane becomes the Yonge st exit. When we entered she moved over a lane and took a right blocking position. Then when we were a few hundred metres from Yonge she took a left blocking position in the same lane. It seems to make sense. First block right so people merging on the 407 can see you and then block left for any last minute fools trying to exit at Yonge. Got me thinking is this the best way or would it make more sense to stay in the right lane until the yonge st exit then move to to the left one lane and take a left block position. Any thoughts? Specifically when to move out of the right lane into what essentially is a unblockable lane, when the right lane is exiting.
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Highway blocking position
- Thread starter howardis
- Start date
You aren't only blocking, but maximizing the distance from which a potential lane changing driver can see you. Which side you should be on depends upon where danger is most likely to come from. Given that people these days will use a merge lane, in order to blow past traffic and then force their way back in, that's the most likely place that danger will come from.
After that, the issue is the late exiters; the ones who *almost* miss their exits, then swerve across 4 lanes of traffic to make it. Block left for them.
After that, the issue is the late exiters; the ones who *almost* miss their exits, then swerve across 4 lanes of traffic to make it. Block left for them.
Do the opposite of this.
Let em merge, you won't win any battles trying to block a cage while riding in the middle lane.
That's generally bad advice. You want to be visible, so that they won't think that it's an open space they can merge into.
I'm comfortable with my middle lane positioning, i gave up trying to block cars and being visible to cagers many moons ago.
Riding like i'm invisible and having other options to move around in the middle lane work for me.
You should always ride like you're invisible, because to some you will be. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try reasonable measures to make yourself more visible, or to improve your own line of sight. For example being in the left tire track, when making a left turn, lets you see further ahead in the oncoming lanes.
The left turn is a given.
If having that false sense of security makes you feel any better using the blocking position in the middle then all the power to you.
I know what I see on my commute on the DVP everyday with other riders trying to block, for one drivers don't shoulder check and even if they do they don't care, they will merge into your lane regardless.
Didn't say that about the middle lane. I move back and forth, or use the middle position against my own advice elsewhere, as I see the need. Generally, though, I try to stay out of the middle lane.
My experience during my commute, everyday, on The Gardiner is somewhat different. Most drivers will not attempt to make a lane change through me if I'm in the right blocking position, when they're trying to merge. They move on and look for someone else to abuse.
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The 401/404 funnel has merging traffic from both sides, it doesn't matter which lane you are in none are any better or any safer.
Griffin
Well-known member
Me too.
Nothing wrong with riding in the middle lane if you have half a brain and keep your eyes open.
You should NEVER be in the left lane unless passing and the right lane has the merging issue. Centre is the safest bet, IMO.
i dont follow the blocking position all the time anymore. instead i use the opposite tire track often. this way it gives me more space between the car next to me. so when i sense the car is gonna lane change there's more reaction time for me. often during a ride i change my tire track often in response to changing road conditions.
ppl think a rider is more visible in the blocking position, yes that is true if the cager shoulder checks. but many don't. if an inattentive cager can lane change into another car, which happens often, a biker has no chance of getting seen.
ppl think a rider is more visible in the blocking position, yes that is true if the cager shoulder checks. but many don't. if an inattentive cager can lane change into another car, which happens often, a biker has no chance of getting seen.
Then you're more visible, for the cagers who do check, and have a better sight-line, so that you can be more aware of the ones who don't.
The 1% of drivers
Better than half. That's 50% that I don't have to worry about not seeing their moves
I would rather them see me when I'm seeing them than for them to not see me ever.
Point and case. closed.
Point and case. closed.
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